Contact Us

22nd January 2016

BBCC celebrates official opening of new sales gallery on site

Kuala Lumpur: Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) achieved a new milestone today with the official opening of its new sales gallery. This 19.4 acre development located at the crossroads of Jalan Imbi and Jalan Pudu is master-planned by Jerde Partnership and will comprise 6 blocks of serviced apartments, a retail and entertainment block, 4-star and 5-star hotels, branded residences, serviced residences, strata and corporate offices.

It was less than a year ago that the joint venture partners of UDA Holdings Bhd, Eco World Development Group Berhad and Employees Provident Fund signed the JV agreement. Speaking on behalf of the consortium, BBCC CEO Datuk Richard Ong said the partners have made great progress in getting all governmental approvals for the project and to get the Sales Gallery ready to showcase its world-class masterplan of BBCC to the public.

“We are also extremely delighted to welcome YB Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani, Deputy Minister of Finance as our guest of honour here today as he was the person instrumental in bringing together UDA, Eco World and EPF in February 2015 to undertake this development when he was then chairman of UDA.

“Thank you YB for this great foresight in driving a truly Malaysian joint venture company to re-develop this historic site,” said Ong.

With a total gross development value (GDV) of RM8.7 billion, BBCC is well connected to a transit hub which provides direct access to the LRT, Monorail and future MRT facilities. The site already enjoys direct access to the existing Hang Tuah LRT and Monorail stations.

To further upgrade the public transportation, there are plans to link both the LRT and Monorail stations as well as the future connection to the Merdeka MRT into an integrated modern transit hub which is comfortable and convenient for commuters.

Sharing a little more on the history of the site, Ong said the former Pudu Prison, which stood for 100 years before it was closed in 1996 by the government and eventually demolished in 2009, was entrusted to UDA for redevelopment.

In addressing public perception of the site being a former prison, Ong said two religious ceremonies to provide proper and respectful closure to the site’s history was held whilst blessing it for a new beginning. A “Doa Selamat” ceremony was conducted on 1 October 2015 with coordination by UDA and another interfaith blessing ceremony was held on 18 October 2015 which covered prayer sessions for Hinduism, Christianity, Taoism, Buddhism and Sikhism.

Ong said the team had worked tirelessly over the last year and are all geared up to launch Phase 1 of the project by the 2nd quarter of 2016.

Phase 1 of BBCC will have a combined GDV of RM4 billion. This will include one block of 45-storey strata office with 350 strata suites and two blocks of serviced apartments offering 700 residential units; a 1.5 million sq ft retail mall cum entertainment hub; and a 4-star 300-room hotel with 180 units of branded residences. A new transit hub to serve the 3-in-1 LRT, Monorail & MRT services will also be built in this first phase.

Commenting on the uniqueness of the strata office, also known as “The Stride”, Ong said it would offer full-fledged genuine corporate grade facilities such as an impressive modern façade, grand lobby, dedicated drop off and pick up area, comprehensive shared meeting facilities, vast roof garden and security touch card entry system.

BBCC is currently conducting a registration drive for “The Stride” whereby registrants will enjoy special privileges when the project is officially launched. According to Ong, the serviced apartments have garnered positive feedback from the market and the team is working hard to finalise the designs and specifications to enable BBCC to start the preview and registration exercise soon.

“BBCC is taking the lead role to transform a brown field site into a modern integrated inner city hub with international appeal. I urge more developers to emulate BBCC’s efforts and spearhead more sought-after developments capable of not only rejuvenating inner city living among the locals but also attracting a global populace and elevate Kuala Lumpur to the top echelons of the world’s best cities,” said Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani, the Deputy Finance Minister in his speech.

“We are truly excited about the BBCC development as it has all the hallmarks of an iconic integrated development that Kuala Lumpur can be proud of,” said Datuk Mohd Shafei Abdullah, Chairman of UDA Holdings Bhd.

“Today, we are at the cusp of a new beginning which will see a new heartbeat for Bukit Bintang being born. We are privileged to be working together with UDA and EPF to develop BBCC and could not have asked for better partners to realise the vast potential of this prime city centre location into a new Malaysian landmark with broad multi-generational, local and international appeal,” said Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin, Chairman of Eco World Development Group Berhad.

In line with its brand positioning, BBCC is geared towards meeting the lifestyle needs of the new generation of house buyers and investors who are in search of convenience, comfort and security in a modern and green living environment.

Leisure and entertainment features will take center stage in BBCC as it is poised to become a must-visit destination for local visitors and international tourist with a combination of top-class retail and entertainment offers. From the proposed 2,500-capacity Zepp concert hall to the 1 million sq ft retail mall to be developed in potential partnership with Sony Music Entertainment Japan and Mitsui Fudosan of Japan respectively, BBCC will be pulsating with life and energy around the clock.

Anchoring the adjoining entertainment block is the Malaysia Grand Bazaar which is envisioned as a cultural hub showcasing the authentic heritage and crafts of Malaysian artisans as well as the local street food and traditional cuisine that made Malaysia famous.

All these attractions will be the catalyst to further expand the current center of gravity of the Bukit Bintang shopping belt. Ultimately a vibrant and successful BBCC will enhance and elevate the attractions of Kuala Lumpur as an international tourist destination.